Like Buhari, Ortom, Malami, Kalu ignore INEC warning, display votes

President Muhammadu Buhari was not the only VIP voter that showed his vote to the public after casting his ballot on Saturday during the presidential and parliamentary elections. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami; Governor Samuel Orton of Benue State, and Senator Orji Uzor Kali, a former governor of Imo state and a current senator also did so. They all brazingly ignored warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning display of thumb printed ballots.

The electoral umpire prohibits use of mobile phones and other photographic devices at voting cubicles to forestall the menace of vote-buying that has blighted Nigeria’s elections, according to report by Premium Times, an online news media platform.

The breach came a few hours after INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of voter education and publicity, Festus Okoye, said, “No one will be allowed to take his or her phone to the voting cubicle,” adding that the law prohibits display of ballots by voters.

“Officials of the ICPC, EFCC and security agencies will be on hand to monitor and ensure that the law in that respect is not violated.”

But Garba Shehu, Buhari’s spokesperson, described the President’s conduct as a “rare show of loyalty,” by displaying “his ballot paper, with thumb print for All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu” on Saturday in Daura, Katsina State.

The president who voted at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, was quoted to have reiterated his support for Mr Tinubu.

He boasted that the APC would win from Daura, Katsina State to Lagos.

Like Buhari, Malami was seen displaying ballot papers showing how he voted for various candidates of the APC at his Shiryar Fada, Garkar Na Gambo, polling unit of Nasarawa 1 Ward in Birnin-Kebbi on Saturday.

Umar Gwandu, the minister’s spokesperson quoted Malami as describing the election as “peacefully and in line with the dictates and guidelines put in place by INEC and in conformity with the provisions of the Electoral Acts…and international best practices associated with the election.”

Similarly, Benue State Governor, Ortom, was seen at his polling unit at Guma local government, showing his ballot in favour of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Last week, Ortom openly declared his support for Obi’s presidential bid in Makurdi, the state capital, snubbing the can Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Many lawyers and political analysts have condemned the action of the President and other top personalities. Will the ICPC and other relevant security agencies have the courage to take up the issue?